The effect of PTSD can be far-reaching. This can be a debilitating disorder, and its symptoms can have a negative impact on a number of different areas in a person’s life. In particular, PTSD can negatively effect a person’s mental health, physical health, work, and relationships. Some of the difficulties that people experience in these areas are discussed in more detail below.
Mental Health Problems
Study after study has found that people with PTSD are at much greater risk for developing a number of other mental health disorders, including other anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and substance use disorders.
For example, it has been found that people with PTSD are about 6 times as likely as someone without to develop depression and about 5 times as likely to develop another anxiety disorder.
Finally, PTSD can greatly interfere with a person’s ability to work and maintain relationships. People with PTSD miss more days at work and work less efficiently than people without. Certain symptoms of PTSD, such as difficulties concentrating and problems sleeping, may make it difficult for a person to pay attention at work, stay organized, or make it to work on time. Not surprisingly then, people with PTSD also have higher rates of unemployment than people without. Likewise, people with PTSD often have problems at school. It has been found that people with PTSD may be more likely to not make it through high school or college.
The Importance of Getting Help for Your PTSD
If you have a diagnosis of PTSD, it is very important to seek out some kind of help. Not only are the symptoms of PTSD difficult to cope with, but they can also have a major negative impact on different areas of your life. Unfortunately, only slightly more than a third of people with PTSD are in some kind of treatment. There are a number of effective treatments for PTSD, and treating PTSD can cause improvements in other areas of your life. For example, if someone successfully treats their PTSD, they often find that other disorders go away as well (although their other conditions may require specific, targeted treatments). Finding a mental health provider can be an overwhelming and stressful task if you do not know where to look.
If you need help dealing with PTSD, please contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our trained therapists at 303-353-9226 or jedmonds@brightsidecounseling.net
